The story

«I cannot remember my mother’s face anymore» are the words of Javed as he looks onto the sea. We are sitting on the coast in Patras, Greece, not far away from the harbour. Just across the street is the old the old, run-down factory in which Javed and forty other refugees from Afghanistan have found shelter.

For one week also I share this home with them. Javed’s words inspire me to take on a journey going from Austria, through Turkey and Greece, leading to Iran, where he started his journey as a refugee. My plan is to transcribe this journey in the form of a report and come back with a picture of Javed’s mother Ozra to give to him.

Where you come in

My purpose is to bring across the refugee situation in Europe, and particularly Greece, in a way that is as sustainable as possible. This is why I am looking for an approach on how substantial journalism can survive while being on the pulse of time.

«Ozra» will be the exemplary outcome of this strive. The very strong emotional momentum – the lost memory of the mother’s face – is what manages to support the complex subject of Europe’s refugee policy and makes it possible to bring the issue across in a way that is comprehensible. The story will be told using appropriate media such as text, pictures, audio and video recordings, infographics and data visualisation. It will be published in the online magazine WHY ISSUE, which will also be available in English.

WHY ISSUE is based on a web environment, developed for this exact purpose, to represent multimedia-based reports, and will be launched with the publication of «Ozra».

What you support

A report of this magnitude requires a lot of time as well as a lot of money. While I was still able to cover the expenses for my work in Patras, the situation looks quite differently for «Ozra». The amount of at least CHF 6000 that is facing me for travel expenses, accommodation and food as well as paying a translator is simply impossible for me to raise all by myself. This is why I need your support, no matter big or small, to bring the report «Ozra» to life.

What more you can do

Money, although being an indispensable factor for the success of this report, is not everything! Your talent and abilities are worth at least as much.

Do you know people living in Van, Teheran, Isfahan or near one of these cities, that could assist me with translating or a place to sleep while I’m there?

Are you a designer, who would like be involved in designing the layout of the printed magazine, its online version or in creating infographics?

Do you know how to visualize data and would like to participate in developing and creating such data visualizations?

Are you experienced with HTML, PHP and JQuery and would you like to be part of WHY ISSUE’s further development?

Do you articulate yourself eloquently in English and also be able to translate texts from German to English?

Do you speak Dari? Can you translate and transcribe audio recordings and footage?

If so, I will get in touch with you and, of course, you will get a reward for your help.

What’s in it for you

You help realizing a report to an extent which would not be possible otherwise. You support the establishment of a new online magazine which will take on more subjects with the purpose of bringing them across in a comprehensible and pertinent manner. In exchange I promise to dedicate myself fully to high quality journalism. Furthermore, there will, of course, be some kind of a gratification for your help.

Further information:

Project Status

Rewards

CHF

20.-

4 taken

You will get a postcard-sized picture in connection with the report.

CHF

50.-

19 / 200 taken

You will get a printed version of the complete report.

CHF

100.-

9 taken

You will get a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE. No matter in what direction the magazine will develop, for you the contents will always stay free. Furthermore, you have the possibility of reading the reports before the official publication and will have exclusive access to more material from my travel.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report.

CHF

120.-

5 / 10 taken

You will receive special spices, brought home by me from Iran.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

150.-

7 / 12 taken

You will be invited to a big meal in the Galerie Parzelle403. The dish served will be one that I will have learnt to prepare on my journey.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

220.-

7 / 18 taken

You will receive a classy, AluDibond mounted print of a picture of your choice in format 30 cm x 20 cm.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

330.-

2 / 12 taken

You will receive a classy, AluDibond mounted print of a picture of your choice in format 45 cm x 30 cm.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

440.-

2 / 6 taken

You will receive a classy, AluDibond mounted print of a picture of your choice in format 60 cm x 40 cm.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

500.-

1 / 4 taken

You will have the possibility to charge me with a little assignment for my journey. I will interview a Beryuni cook in Isfahan, take a video recording of a street musician in Istanbul, or record the ambient sound of the market in Teheran, it’s all up to you.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

1’000.-

0 / 1 taken

You will be invited to a delicious and personal meal at my home. The dish will be one that I will have learnt to prepare on my journey. Furthermore, I will bring you a personal gift from Iran and offer to take a picture of you or of someone you love, for example your mother.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

1’500.-

0 / 3 taken

I am your personal photographer or cameraman for one day. You will receive a documentary in form of a short movie or a picture series of your concert, your party, your wedding, or whichever event you would like me to document. If you have got a set date, it would be preferable to ask me in advance whether I’m free.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

CHF

4’000.-

0 / 1 taken

I will produce a unique multimedia-based documentary of your event stretching over a period from one up to three days. For your festival, your wedding or whatever the event you would like to have documented is, I will create a website based on the WHY ISSUE environment, which you have unlimited access to and can be embedded into your personal website. If you have got a set date, it would be preferable to ask me in advance whether I’m free.
Furthermore, you will get a printed version of the complete report as well as a benefactor account on WHY ISSUE (check CHF 100 reward to see what else is in it for you.).

Something’s going on here! We’re presenting projects dealing with the subject of refugees, including festivals, cookery books and film workshops – back these projects to become a part of the effort! wemakeit, too, says #refugeeswelcome.

Be part of Basel’s first ever crowdfunding community. Discover and support culture and creative projects or start one of your very own. Would you like to get help with it? The Basel Stadt’s Cultural Affairs Department offers crowdfunding consulting of its own, get in touch with Aline Pieth directly if you’re interested.